KDPS Assistant Chief retires

Published: Sunday, January 19, 2014 at 05:29 PM.

For nearly 30 years, Annette Boyd provided exemplary service with the Kinston Department of Public Safety to the community, without seeking fanfare.

Her retirement, on Dec. 31 from the position of assistant chief was done in the same manner.

Boyd declined comment with The Free Press. Bill Johnson, director of KDPS, said the force wanted to do something commemorating Boyd’s accomplishments, but didn’t in respect to her.

“She said she didn’t wish to do anything public or even private, and we honored her wishes,” Johnson said.

Johnson said Boyd progressed through adversity when she first came on board in 1984.

“At the time, there were definitely a lot fewer female officers in service,” Johnson said. “She definitely had a few hurdles to overcome, and her accomplishments and ascension to assistant chief says a lot, not only to her competence, but motivation to success.”

Johnson said one of Boyd’s best qualities was her relationship with the community.

For nearly 30 years, Annette Boyd provided exemplary service with the Kinston Department of Public Safety to the community, without seeking fanfare.

Her retirement, on Dec. 31 from the position of assistant chief was done in the same manner.

Boyd declined comment with The Free Press. Bill Johnson, director of KDPS, said the force wanted to do something commemorating Boyd’s accomplishments, but didn’t in respect to her.

“She said she didn’t wish to do anything public or even private, and we honored her wishes,” Johnson said.

Johnson said Boyd progressed through adversity when she first came on board in 1984.

“At the time, there were definitely a lot fewer female officers in service,” Johnson said. “She definitely had a few hurdles to overcome, and her accomplishments and ascension to assistant chief says a lot, not only to her competence, but motivation to success.”

Johnson said one of Boyd’s best qualities was her relationship with the community.

“As a person and as an officer, she was very much an advocate for the elderly and spent quite a bit of time checking on residents in community personally,” Johnson said. “She assisted the elderly and made herself self-available for their needs.

“She was also well-known during her days as a street officer, and still had people calling to give her information. That was exceptional in its own right how she was able to maintain relationships with the public, who felt comfortable enough to relay information to help us solve crimes.”

Kinston Mayor B.J. Murphy said Boyd was an integral part in helping him and his family find closure for the death of his mother, more than two decades after it happened.

“In 1985, my mother was kidnapped from a convenience store and murdered when I was 4 1/2 years old,” Murphy said. “It was a cold case for 21 years, but Annette was familiar with the case and one of the ones who made sure it stayed on radar. When the FBI crime lab got enough funding, they perused the case, and they found my mother’s killer already in prison through DNA testing.

“I remember sitting in two or three meetings with Boyd, who was right in the middle of this horrible thing, helping my family find closure. I’ll always be in debt and have full gratitude because of her persistence. It just shows the work ethic she had in her career.”

On Monday, five officers — Brian Biggins, Robert Brock, Fred Darden, Kevin Devine and Rick Harrell — were promoted in a badge-pinning ceremony to prepare KDPS for the future.

Johnson said the officers — who have more than 80 years of combined service — were great choices, but Boyd’s retirement still hurts.

“Anytime you have credible service, which comes from years of experience and leadership over time, you’re tasked with trying to fill void when that leaves the organization,” Johnson said. “Fortunately, we do have some senior employees with very good service, and we can move them into certain positions to fill the void.”

Johnson said there won’t be a replacement for Boyd’s position.

“We froze the position, trying to increase our staff on the street without having to increase the budget,” Johnson said. “With the free position, we have the money to hire two more police officers on the streets, which will help resources, staffing and coverage.”

Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.